Kalem's Kisses (English Version)

Chapter 24

I moved between the sheets as I tried to open my eyes, bringing a hand to my aching head. I wasn't going to drink again; alcohol was definitely not for me. No, no.

Damn, my bed felt softer than usual.

With my hand still on my head, I managed to open my eyes. My forehead wrinkled when I didn't find my colorful stars stuck to the ceiling. I quickly sat up on the bed when I heard the shower running in the bathroom next door.

Oh my literary crushes, I was in Kalem's room!

Oh, no, no, no.

I was wearing my dress from last night, and over it, one of Kalem's large sweaters, which smelled like him and which I thought of taking hostage just for that reason. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. What had happened last night? I remembered saying goodbye to Nora, making sure she left with her redheaded boyfriend, and then Kalem brought me to his house in his car. I made him carry me up the stairs to his room.

Kalem assured me his parents were out and his little brother was asleep. I let out a groan of embarrassment and covered my face with my hands as images of me jumping on Kalem's bed and giving him a mini-concert using my phone as a microphone flooded my mind. Kalem didn't seem angry; on the contrary, he seemed amused and even took out his phone to record me. That boy. Then, I remembered Kalem lying next to me, hugging me, and stroking my hair until I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

My traitorous body was weak last night.

I was supposed to stay away from him to sort out the mess in my head, but I did the exact opposite. I blamed the alcohol for making me sappy and weak to his charms, and also that revealing shirt he wore that made him look hot.

I quickly got out of bed to find my shoes. As I put them on in a hurry, I noticed a bottle of water and a small container of headache pills on the nightstand, along with a note that read: "Take two when you wake up, little writer." He had added a smiley face with a small heart.

How could he be so sweet?

I was scared. Scared of what I was feeling for him.

I liked Kalem. A lot. Too much.

And it terrified me.

I felt awful as I rushed out of his room without telling him or saying goodbye. Oh, Heather. What were you doing?

---

I managed to get to the university after stopping by my house to get ready and take something for my headache. I didn't want to check my phone because I knew I'd have missed calls from Kalem. As I walked through the halls to my class, I stopped when I saw Kalem leaning against the wall next to the classroom door, arms crossed, waiting for me.

"Oh, no, no. Let's go, maybe he hasn't seen you," I told myself, quickly turning around.

"Heather." Hearing him say my name made me stop. I felt him approach, jogging towards me. "Wait, don't go."

He stood in front of me, his face looking tired from the few hours of sleep due to the mini-concert I gave in his room. He also looked sad and worried. And I knew I was the reason.

"Are you avoiding me again?" He placed both hands on my cheeks, his touch gentle. "I got worried when I didn't see you this morning after my shower. I searched the whole house, but you were gone. Why? Did something happen? I could have driven you."

"Kalem."

I stepped away from him, and he lowered his hands from my face, trying to hide how much that affected him. I sighed, preparing myself for what I was about to say.